AFFF Firefighting Foam Runoff May Have Contaminated The Nation's Food Supply
Farms that surround military bases have tested positive for PFAS forever chemicals that have been linked to cancer and neurological disease
Monday, February 26, 2024 - Toxic aqueous film fire fighting foam may have contaminated dairy farms and tainted cow's milk at hundreds of locations around the US. One local dairy farmer has had to dispose of tens of thousands of gallons of cow milk because it tested positive for dangerously high levels of PFAS forever chemicals. PFAS chemicals are thought to have been improperly disposed of at a local Air Force base where Firefighting Foam was used and trained regularly. Local firefighters thought the foam was safe and would invite local children over for demonstrations, sometimes dousing themselves and the children with the innocuous-looking dishwashing-like bubbles. According to ABC News in New Mexico, "records show the chemicals seeped into the groundwater from neighboring, Cannon Air Force Base. The installation is among the hundreds of military bases nationwide that have long used toxic firefighting foam containing PFAS chemicals. Over time, those chemicals leaked onto Schaap's property, with an underground plume impacting his groundwater according to state records. And because of the contamination, he says has to dump about 12,000 gallons of milk a day. All of it, Schaap says, has been rendered useless because of PFAS contamination." More than 50,000 other farms that surround the hundreds of US military bases have been alerted that their water supply may have been contaminated. Thousands of AFFF lawsuits are expected to be filed against 3M and other AFFF manufactuurers.
Firefighting foam, utilized extensively in fire suppression, is composed of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are characterized by their enduring molecular bonds. These PFAS chemicals are known for their resilience and effectiveness in extinguishing various types of fires. However, concerns have arisen due to the persistent nature of PFAS, often referred to as "forever chemicals," as they resist degradation over time. This characteristic poses environmental and health risks, as PFAS can accumulate in ecosystems and potentially enter the food chain, leading to adverse effects on both wildlife and human populations. Despite their efficacy in firefighting applications, efforts are underway to develop alternative solutions that minimize the use of PFAS-containing foam to mitigate the long-term consequences associated with their widespread usage. Therefore, it is imperative to explore environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional firefighting foam formulations to address these concerns effectively.
Military installations across the country have historically relied on the utilization of firefighting foam containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), known for their effective fire suppression capabilities. However, the prolonged use of such foam has led to inadvertent environmental contamination, as these PFAS chemicals have a propensity to migrate through soil and groundwater. This has resulted in widespread ecological repercussions, particularly for neighboring dairy farmers whose properties have been affected by the infiltration of these toxic substances. The inadvertent leakage of PFAS chemicals from military bases onto nearby dairy farms has caused significant harm. The underground movement of these chemicals has resulted in the formation of plumes, contaminating groundwater sources essential for agricultural activities. Such contamination poses a multifaceted threat, impacting not only the livelihoods of farmers but also the safety and quality of agricultural produce. Furthermore, the persistence of PFAS in the environment exacerbates the challenge, as these substances are resistant to degradation and can persist in the ecosystem for extended periods.
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